Rear-slidable extension in a fiber optic equipment tray

Abstract

A fiber optic apparatus having a fiber optic equipment tray and an extension adapted to receive, organize and manage fiber optic cables routed to the fiber optic equipment tray is disclosed. The fiber optic equipment tray has a front, a rear, a base, and at least one extension rail. The extension movably attaches to the fiber optic equipment tray at the extension rail and, thereby, slidably extends from and retracts toward the rear of the fiber optic equipment tray. The extension comprises a shelf and a cable management tray hingedly attached to the shelf. The shelf moves over the base when the extension extends from and retracts toward the fiber optic equipment tray. The cable management tray is in planer alignment with the fiber optic equipment tray when the extension is retracted, and allowed to pivot downwardly when the extension is extended. At least one furcation plug tray attaches to the cable management tray. The at least one furcation plug tray adapted to mount at least one furcation plug to which fiber optic cables may be connected.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 190,538 filed Aug. 29, 2008 entitled “High Density Data Center Hardware, Assemblies and Components,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0002]The present application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 197,068 filed Oct. 23, 2008 entitled “High Density Data Center Hardware, Assemblies and Components,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0003]The present application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 323,415 entitled “Independently Translatable Modules and Fiber Optic Equipment Trays In Fiber Optic Equipment” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0004]The present application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 323,423 entitled “Rear-Installable Fiber Optic Modules and Equipment” which is incorporated herein by referen...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a fiber optic apparatus with an extension that can manage fiber optic cables routed to a fiber optic equipment tray. The extension has a shelf and a cable management tray that can hold multiple fiber optic cables. The cable management tray can pivot to align with the fiber optic equipment tray. The extension can be locked in place to securely hold the cables. The invention allows for easy management and connection of fiber optic cables to other components of the fiber optic system.

Problems solved by technology

Even with advancements in access to fiber optic modules, the labor associated with installing fiber optic modules and making optical connections is significant.

Because data distribution centers are typically large facilities with significant numbers of equipment racks, walking back and forth from the rear section to the front section of the equipment rack during an installation can take significant time.

In either scenario, fiber optic cables are installed in the rear section of the equipment rack and the fiber optic modules and connections are installed from the front of the equipment rack thereby requiring extensive labor.

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